Improvement in frames for satchels



A. P. H. G VOEPEL. Frame for Satchel.

No. 200,135. Patented Feb. 12,1878.

N-PETERS. raoxo-urnoampnan. WASHINGTON, n. 6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OE Ic ALBERT F. H. GOEPEL, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRAMES FOR SATCHELS Specification forming part of LettersPatent No. 200,135, dated February 12, 1878; application filed November2, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, ALBERT F. H. GoEPEL, of Newark, in the county ofEssex and State of New Jersey, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Frames for Satchels, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to an improved frame for satchels, purses, andanalogous devices; and consists in providing a spring at the point wherethe jaws of the frame are hinged, which operates to throwthe jaws openwhen themeans securing them together are released.

It also consists, further, in a novel means of connecting the jaws, inwhich a pivoted bar operates by rotation to move the bolt which controlsthe connection of the jaws.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a deviceembodying the elements of the invention. Fig. 2 is a central verticallongitudinal section of same. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the interiorlocking attachments. Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the pins 0 and catchesf. Fig. 5 is a vertical central section through the shank F and knob E.Fig. 6 is a broken top view of the spring I), with the jaws A open.

In the accompanying drawings, Arepresents the jaws of the frame of asatchel. These jaws are in the present instance arrangedso that whenclosed the edge of one passes un-- der the other, though it is obviousthat if their edges simply meet that purpose of the invention can beeffected, suitable catches being employed. The jaws A are connected bythe pivot a, about which is secured a spiral spring, 11, the tension ofwhich is so arranged that the spring tends to open the jaws. fected byhaving the opposite ends ofthe spring in contact with adjacent parts ofthe different jaws. Thus, when closed, the edge of one jaw lies underthe other, and at the same time the jaws have an outward-openingtension.

Upon the upper part of the outer jaw is firmly secured the plate B,provided at its center with the shell D,having a suitable keyhole, abovewhich is placed a small knob, E, having milled or corrugated edges,shank F extending through the shell D, and journaled in each sidethereof. Thus the rotation of the This is of knob E causes thecorresponding movement of the shank F. Adjacent to the knob, and underthe shell, the shank is recessed to admit the key and permit it tooperate, as hereinafter set forth. I The center of the shank is providedupon one side with an aperture, H, to receive the bolt-pin I, whichprojects upward a suitable distance in the shell, and is secured atright angles to the spring-bolt, L, which is placed in the tube M, andhas therein an elastic movement by means of a coiled spring, (I, placedat either or both ends of the tube. The tube M is slotted to allow themovement of the pm I, and also of the pins e c, which depend from theunder side of the bolt at suitable points to engage the catches f on theother jaw, the pins passing through slots in the frame A. Thus theaction of the spring cl causes the pin I to enter the aperture H, andwhen therein it cannot be moved so as to open the jaws A; but uponrotating the knob E the shank is turned, which moves the bolt and forcesthe pins con the bolt clear of the catches, and thereupon the springs I)operate, throwing open the jaws.

The bolt 0 is continuous, and thus operates not only to lock the jaws inthe manner hereinafter specified, but serves also as a brace to preventthe jaws being bent.

Beside the tube M, adjacent to the pin I, is provided the vertical plateN, wherefrom projects the key-spindle h, in proper relation to which isplaced the fork i, the opposite end whereof is pivoted to the plate N,and is provided with a forked bar, I, that presses it toward the plate,a locking-stud, m, being placed on the plate, to hold the fork andprevent its movement except when the key is used.

A vertical slot, 1), is cut in the plate N, adjacent the fork t, andthrough this extends the locking-pin t, passing through a slot in thebolt L, the tube M being here slotted transversely to permit thisarrangement. Thus, by inserting the key and rotating it one way, thelocking-pin is forced into the slot in the bolt, preventing itsmovement, and consequently the opening of the jaws. A contrary movementof the key raises the locking-pin and prevents the movement of the bolt.Obversely the operation of the bolt could be controlled by a knobarranged to slide upon the top or side of the shell, and having a shankconnected with or unhinging the pin I.

The marked advantage of the spiral spring when thus applied is that itspower continues until the jaws are completely opened; that it hasgreater strength, and can be affixed to the jaws by making one apertureonly in each and passing the end of the spring through the same, whereaseach of the bar-sprin gs requires two apertures to attach it to the jaw,and thus weakens the jaw by two holes instead of one; also, that theoperation of the spiral spring is more certain, and cannot be snapped bysuddenly opening or closing the satchel, as may the bar-spring, which isbowed either when the bag is open or when closed.

The advantage of having the knob E on the side, and not on the top ofthe frame, is that when placed in the former position it is not apt tocome in contact with other things when being moved, nor to strike theknuckles when being carried.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

1. As a means for locking satchel-frames at one or more points, acontinuous bolt having a spring action, and operated by a rotary shank,in combination with a suitable numliaer of lockingcatches, substantiallyas set orth.

2. In a satchel-frame, a pair of jaws having an. opening',tensionproduced by a spiral spring, secured upon or near the hinges thereof,substantially as specified. c

3. Ina satchel-frame, a spring-bolt, engaging the locking-catches at oneor more points, in combination with the spiral springs for opening thejaws, substantially as set forth.

4;. A satchel} frame the jaws of which are secured together at two ormore points by a sliding spring-bolt, actuated by a rotary knob placedon the side of the frame, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing improvement in frames forsatchels, as above described, I have hereunto set my hand this 26th dayof October, 1877.

ALBERT F. HERM. GOEPEL.

NVitnesses:

(Inns. 0. Gun, HARRY 00X.

